Electric switch



Patented Oct. 27, 1925.

' i errantes-L. TURNER, on.v JERSEY CITY; NEW'JERSEY.

ELETLRIC SWITCH, e

Application inea august 24,v 1923. serial No. 659,060.

To ZZ 'whom'z't may concern.'

' Be it known that I, CHARLES TURNER', a citizen 'of the United Statesresiding at Jersey City, county of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, have'invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of whichthe following is a specication, reference being hadv tothe accom.- panying"drawings.'Y i

This invention'` relates to vswitches andI it has more Apaiticular reference to electric switches, of the type commonly employed' on automotive vehicles for con-trolling the supply ofl current to the ignition whereby` the f Acombustible mixture is r'ignited' or exploded.

YSwitels of .the kind referred vto usually coinprise 'an associated key-operated niechanism adapted to lock the saine 1in the oit posiiton when the vehicle is notv in operation, whereby the ignition circuit is broken. evices of said type while effective in most respectsv have inherent disadvantages, primarily ot" which is consequent upon forgetfulness to properly adjust the switch to the .n ott position and remove the key when the vehicle is leftunattended, or parked. Furthermore, 'it *frequently happens that through ,neglect `and various other lrea'- ysons a switch of the type referred, to is not properly locked when cut-out whereby an 'unauthorized person` may, withV comparatively little ltrouble, move jsaid switch to the on position and"illicitlyoperate the vehicle; "Keeping: iin View lthe aforesaid disadvantages Iprovidea Vswitch which effectively overcomes saiddisadvantarges in a simple, thorough and reliable manner.

. Another object 'of my inventior is to prorvide a switch of the type specified, characterized by the fact thatthe'movenlent oftsaid switch Vto the off position -automatically locks the saine against unauthorized operation lor use.V

@ther objects-and attendant advantages will be obvious from the yfollowing description-while the-scopeof vmy invention will be readily apparent` troni 'the' appended claims.` i l l ,irieiiy outlined lmyinvention consists of a permutation switch,f the movement of 'the line VIV-VI inthe yferred to'.

'.clefts or recesses 8, with the/ balls pro which to tlie,o position simultaneously breaks the permutativecombination, so that anyone otherk than the properly authorized person knowing said combinationV cannot resetthe switch. I s l "In the drawings', Fig. I is a longitudinal section throughl an ignition switch embodying m-y invention and adapted-(for installa# tion on the dashboard yor linstrument'pan-el ot an automotive vehicle. Fig. II isv a front elevation ot the sani-e.,

Fig.. III is a sectional? elevationtaken approximately on the,l lines vIIIe-*IH i-nthe preceding Figure, andas-'viewed in thedirection of the arrows.

Fig. IV. is an enlarged'detail view otone 'of-1 the permutative switchmembers.

V Fig- V is a section-alview thereof.

Fig. VI is a section taken substantially on preeedlngv Figur-e;

and Y Fig. VII is anl enlarged sectionalfdetail of a contact hereafter more particularly ref In carrying out my invention in accord- 75 ancev with the enibodnnent illustrated by 'th-e* aforesaid drawings I make a loa-se or support/7 `of a non-conductive materia-l 'such as bakelite or the like, and said base 7 is fashioned or foi-ined atvspaced interlvals with,v eleftsl or recesses 8 disposed 'in `parallel planes. These clefts or parallel recesses 8 have an aligned series of-contact de- *vi-ces '9 Vslightly projecting theiei-nto for" 'a purpose hereafter 'fully explained, each of y85 saidcontact devices 9 embracing altubular sleeve 10 housing a contractile spring 11 and opposed tcontact instrumentalities or balls 12fthat are protected against accidental vloss by an inward retaining lip or Haring 13 jateach end of said sleeve 10, as best seen 1n Fig.

`bores Min the' base 7, and it will be revmarked that they are of an over-allv dimension to snugly register at their ends with the jected thereinto.

Furthermore it will be obs served that the Outer contact devices 9 are preferably only provided with one ball 12', the same projecting into the contiguous end cleft or recess 8. Likewise the outer ends of the contact devices 9 are approximately constructed to provide binding posts or terminals 15 to which the wires 16, 17 in circuit with a battery 18, distributor and spark plugsnot shown-or other instrumentalities and devices included in said circuit are attached by lock nuts 19. Vith the foregoing assemblage of contacts 9, 9 it will be readily seen that each cleft or recess 8 is provided with opposed and axiallyV registering balls A12 or the like projecting thereinto.

Traversing the aforesaid clefts or recesses 8 is a rod or" shaft 2O that serves as the axis for a plurality of independently rotatable switch or permutative members 21 substantially housed in the clefts or recesses 8, one of said switch or permutative members 21 being located in each recess 8 and adapted for rotation, as hereafter more fully explained. These switch or permu- Cir later on explained.

tative members 21 may be made enti-rely of non-conductive material, but it will `be seen from the drawings which exemplify a practical and preferred form of construction, said switch or permutative members 21, each comprising a main or body portion 22 of insulate material having a metallicy surrounding ring or toothed peripheral portion 23. rIhis ring or toothed portion 23 may be secured to the main or body portion 22 in any convenient manner that will prevent relative movement; or, as shown, the body portion 22 may be provi-ded with a peripheral groove 24 into which fits a correspondingly shaped rib 25 on the inner face of the toothed portion 23, whereby lateral movement is effectively prevented. On the other hand, relative rot-ationof the parts is prevented by means of radial projections Y2.6 on the body portion 22 embedded in corresponding recesses 27 in the peripheral portion 23, it being obvious such a combination of parts will be accomplished by moulding -or the like. @n an examination of Figures IV, V and VI, it will be noted that each of the aforesaid peripheral portions 23 is formed with a plurality of evenly coniigured undulations or teeth 28, and a mutilated tooth or stop 29, for a purpose Adapted for operative engagement with the teeth 28 of each switch or permutative member 21 is an anti-friction plunger or ball 30 influenced by a spiral spring 31, housed within a bore 32, in the vbase 7 va removable plug that is closed at its outer en-d by 33, and all of said plugs 33 are conveniently closed in and protected b-y means of a covering strip or member 34 secured to the said base 7 by countersunk screws 35. The balls 30 are freely .travers` able by the teeth 28, 29, and snap into the undulations between same when the permutation members 21 are rotated in one direction, but the mutilated tooth 29 will arrest rotation of said members 21, when reversely rotated.

As best seen from Figures III and IV the switch or permutation members 21 are freely rotatable in a clockwise direction but their rotation is limited and arrested when turned in a contra-clockwise manner by the mut-ilated tooth or stop 29, vide the showing in Figure IV, but it will be quite obvious the direction of said tooth or stop 29 may be reversed with a similar reversal of permutative rotation for the members 21.

It will of course be well understood that the balls 30 are located in registry with the clefts or recesses 8 in the base 7 and in operative engagement with the switch or permutative members 21, and each ofsaid members is provided with an inserted metal contact 36 extended 'transversely through the insulate body portion 22 so that its opposite ends are exposed at the plane'surfaces thereof. Furthermore it will be seen that the metal contact 36 is located eccentric relative to the axis of the switch or permutative member 21, so that by rotation of said member 21 it may be brought into registry and engagement between a pair of opposed balls 12-12 or 12-12 and thereby close an electric circuit through the device terminals 15, wires 16, 17 and the battery 18. The contacts 36, it will be noted from Figure IV, are located at predetermined and different points in each switch or permutative member 21 with res spect to the mutilated tooth or stop 29; or, said contacts 36 are located at the same radial centers, but relatively different arcuate positions with respect to said tooth or stop 29. It will thus be apparent that the location of the contacts 36 determines the number of progressive steps through which each permutative member 21 must be rotated to carry its contact 36 into registry with its contiguous balls 12-12 or 12,-12. A large number of permutations are thus rendered possible so that each device can be set to an individual combination to be known only to the owner, or other properly authorized person, whereby the closure of a circuit therethrough by an unauthorized pe-rson becomes a remote possibility. By way of example let it be assumed that the combination of theparticular device shown is thirteen-ftyseven, as indicated on Figure IV, the contact 36 of the outer switch member 21 at the left-hand si-de in Figure I will require one tooth or one step actuation to bring said contact 36 into registration with its co-operating plungers or balls 12-f12, it being understood that the steps are counted from the point at which the mutilated tooth or stop 29 y'engages its coopera-ting ball SO. Similarly the 'successive permutative members 21, due to the particular location of the respective contacts 36 therein, will respectively require three,

five, and seven step actuation to bring said'v contacts 36 into axial alignment, with their associated plungers or balls 12-12.

In use, and assuming the devicev isriii the olf or inoperative position and that it is desired to close a circuit therethrough, the Switch or permutative members 21 are all rotated in one direction until further movement is arrested by the engagement of the i'espective niu-ltilated teeth 29 with their cooperating balls 30, to establish the datum or starting point.v The first or left-hand switch member 21 is now movedin the opposid'e or forward direct-ion the distance of one tooth 28, or one step away from its cooperating ball 30 as audibly indicated by the snapping of said ball 30 into `the undulation intervening the firstand second teeth 28 away from the mutilated tooth 29; and

said operation results in the registering engagement of the Contact 36 with its vcooperative balls 122-12. The next switch member 21 advancing towards the riglithaiid is now turned a distance,corresponding to three steps as indicated by the successive snapping of its co-operating ball 30 into threel successive recesses intervening its teeth 28, and as a result the contact 36 therein will be moved into aligned registration with the contiguous contact balls 12, 12.

Similarly the successive switch or permutative members 21 advancing to the right will be respectively moved live and seven steps as audibly indicated by -the successive snappings of their co-operative plungers or balls 30. As a result of the permutative movements first described it will be clear thatV the particular combination predetermined will be completed and all of the contacts 36 and' cooperating balls 12-'12-12l brought. into registering alignment-as shown in'Figur'e `H-wliereby a circuit will be closed through the battery 18 to the ignition and other devices to be energized thereby. To break the circuit established by the means, and in the manner just described, it isonly necessary to rotate or move one of the switch members 21 through one or more steps which results in the 'moving of its contact 3G out of registering alignment with the others. In such a case it becomes only necessary to remember how many steps and which selected switch or perinutative member 21 was operated, and to vreversely actuate saine to again promptly 4Vcomplete the circuit. However, to more effectively ensure safety andto reduce all possibility of an unauthorized person establishing the proper combination, it is advisable, to move 'all of the respective switch members 21 in diverse relationto break the circuit in a multiplicity of places, vso that it will b e necessary to move all said' members 21 -to their datum positionv as before-described. I

To further'reduce the possibility of detecting the particular combination of my novel switch, and also to minimize the .possibility of short circuitiiig, said switch may conveniently be mounted byY screws 37 on a plate 881having elongated slots 89 therein andl said plate,` appropriately secured by screws lor the like 10 fon the dash or instrument board 11, of an automotive vehicle. Obviously such a mounting of my novel switch will involve its recession relative to the front or face of the dash or instrument board 41 and to better *protect the device from dust and dirt it is preferably closed in by means of a casing 42held in place by wood screws or the like 43, as will be readily seen from an examination of Figures II and HI more particularly. Further,.by locating the contact instrumentalities or balls 12, 12

and springs 11 in the tubular sleeves 10,-th`e latter assist inthe conduction of electriczcurrent and 'effect a reliable connection when the switch is closed. l

W'liile my switch is particularly adapted for use on automotive vehicles `as ya safety locking device; it will be obvious the same is equally usable wherever a safety locking circuit controller is desirable., Atherefore the embodiment disclosed is to be construed as by way of example only.V i y i Various changes in the specific form of my invention illustrated and described may vbe effected without departing from its fundamentals, for example the contact. instrumentalities or balls 12, 12" and springs 11 may be located directly in the bores 14 thereby eliminating the tubular sleeves 10, and the right is accordingly'ireserved to 'make all such reasonable modifications as lie within the scope of the appended 'but` by breaking the combination coincidentally lwithout any 4independent operative step, effectively locks the device with which the switch is associated; and such features is deemed of prime importance as the switch`A cannot be re-closed and the electrical cornection re-estab'lished only by someoneacuainted with its articular combination due to the multiplicity of permutations possible with only four members 21 as hereinbefore described. Other, important advaiitages inhering are so apparent it is deemed unnecessary to enumerate the vsame herein beyond mention of the fact no removable key is needed with its attendant possibility of loss or misplacement.

Having thus described myA invention, I claim:

l. An electric switch comprising a base provided with a series ot' open recesses, a corresponding series of permutative switch members ournalled therein for step-by-step rotation, axially aligned contacts inset in said base adapted for co-operative circuitclosing engagement with the switch members when permutatively moved, and anarresting datum 'for establishing a predetermined permutation.

2. A permutation electric switch comprising a b-ase formed with a plurality of open recesses, a corresponding plurality of movable switch members journalled therein for step-by-step rotation, aligned end-to-end contacts in said base between the recesses and adapted for circuit-closing co-operation with the movable switch members when permutatively turned, and an arresting datum 4jor establishing a predeteri'nined permutation.

3. An electric switch comprising` a base formed with a plurality of open recesses, a corresponding plurality of s vitch members ournalled therein for step-by-step rotation,

intervening axially aligned contacts in said base adapted tor circuit-closing engagement with the movable members when permutatively rotated, and an arresting datum for establishing the permutation.

4. An electric switch comprising a nonconductive base having a plurality of space-d open recesses, a corresponding number of rotatable switch members journalledr in said recesses, means limiting the rotation of said members in one direction to establish a datum, aligned end-to-end spring-influenced contacts intervening the aforesaid recesses adapted by engagement with conductiveinsets in the rotatable members when per-Y mutatively moved to close an electric circuit, and means controlling a step-by-step movement oi" the aforesaid switch members.

5. An electric switch comprising a base having a plurality of spaced recesses, a corresponding number of rotatable members journalled in said recesses, means limiting the rotation of said members in one direction to establish a datum, aligned springintiuenced contacts intervening the aforesaid recesses and adapted for co-operation with the rotatable members when permutatively moved to close an electric circuit, and spring influenced plungers for effecting a step-by-step movement of the aforesaid rotatable members.

6. A switch comprising a base, an interrupted line of contacts therein, a plurality of switch members movablv mounted on said base, means for arresting the movement of said members in successive steps and contacts carried by said switch members and adjustable thereby to complete said line of contacts, said switch member contacts being located thereon in predetermined relation to said arresting means to establish predetermined combinations.

7. A switch comprising a base provided with a plurality ot' open recesses, an interrupted line ot contacts in said base in operative relation to said recesses, switch members rotatably mounted in said recesses, means 'for arresting the rotation of said switch members in successive steps, means tor stopping the rotation of said switch members at given points, and contacts carried by said switch members and adjustable thereby to complete said line of contacts, said switch member contacts being located thereon in predetermined relation to said stop means to establish predetermined combinations. l

8. A switch comprising a base provided with a plurality of open recesses, resilient contact members in said base projecting into said Lrecesses from opposite directions to form an interrupted line ot contacts, a plurality ot switch members rotatably mounted in said recesses, means for arresting the rotation of said switch members in successive steps, stops on said switch members for stopping the rotation thereof at given points, and contacts carried by said switch members and adjustable thereby into registry and engagement with said contact members to complete said line'of contacts, the contacts being located on said switch members at predetermined points to establish predetermined combinations. Y

9. A switch comprising abase provided with a plurality ot open recesses, metallic sleeves in said base extending between and terminating at said recesses, contact-plungers located in said sleeves and projecting` beyond the same into said recesses, coil springs in said sleeves whereby said contactplungers are yieldingly maintained in position, rotatable switch members mounted in said recesses and provided with recessed peripheries, spring pressed stop-plungers in said base for engaging said recessed peripheries to arrest the rotative movements ot said switch members in successive steps, stops on said switch members for stopping said rotative movements ot' the switch members at given points, and contacts carried by said switch members and adjustable thereby into registry and engagement with said contact-plungers to complete an electrical circuit through said switch, the contacts being located in said switch members at predeter mined points to establish predetermined combinations. v

l0. A switch comprising a base provided with a plurality of open recesses, metallic iso sleeves in said base extendingV between and terminating at said recesses, contact-plungers located in said sleeves and projecting bey yond the same into said recesses, coil springs in said sleeves whereby said contactsplungersare yieldingly maintained in position, ro# tatable switch members mounted in said recesses, means for arresting the rotative movements of said switch members in successive steps, and contacts carried by said switch members and adjustable thereby into registryV and engagement with'v lsaid contactplungers to complete an yelectrical circuit through said switch, ythe contacts being 1ocatedy on said switch members `at predetercombinations.K4 V A s, v, y y In testimony jwhereof, I have .hereunto signed my name at New York, N. Y., this twenty-third day of July, 1923.

s CHARLES L. TURNER lmined points to establish n predetermined: 

